The Empress Wants It All: The Empire and Me - Chapter 40.1

Chapter 40.1

Lin Yanran felt a lingering fear as if she had just escaped from the jaws of death. Daring not to delay for a single second, she immediately went to the corridor and grabbed Liu Zhenzhen.

“Doctor Liu, this is an emergency! I need to borrow your pharmacy.”

Liu Zhenzhen tried to shake her off but failed. She asked crossly, “Are you compounding medicine again?”

“Yes. Please, time is of the essence. I’ll explain everything to you afterward.”

Her tone was incredibly solemn, and she dragged Liu Zhenzhen along at a rapid pace. Thinking that Lin Yanran had come up with some new miraculous formula, Liu Zhenzhen hurriedly turned back and shouted to Feng Gu, “Master, Lin Yanran is going to make medicine—!”

Feng Gu had been covering his face with a cattail fan. Hearing this, he woke up instantly. Liu Zhenzhen gave him a meaningful wink.

Feng Gu understood immediately. Forgetting even to put down his fan, he trotted after them.

Lin Yanran arrived at Liu Zhenzhen’s house and burst into the pharmacy without a word. She found the bundle of herbs Liu Zhenzhen had brought back, took them out one by one, arranged them, and then stared intently at the ingredients.

In her mind, Youqin Mingyue’s face—filled with resentment—was haunting her.

The more Lin Yanran thought about it, the more terrified she became.

She had assumed that after Youqin Mingyue learned she wasn’t the “original” owner of the body, and after a series of attempts to gain her favor, the villain wouldn’t glare at her with such hostile eyes.

How did it come to this?

Suddenly, she realized a key point—Youqin Mingyue’s pheromone outbreak was very likely caused by the fact that Lin Yanran had spent too much time studying her pills the previous night.

That was why she had asked that question earlier.

Youqin Mingyue thought Lin Yanran had tampered with the pills. In reality, it was because the pills had been away from her body for too long, causing the suppression of her pheromones to fail.

The cause was found!

But this made Lin Yanran even more afraid. If Youqin Mingyue realized this as well, she might actually order the Death Guards to finish her off!

Ugh, that would be such a tragic misunderstanding.

I was genuinely trying to help her find an antidote!

Seeing her looking like someone possessed, Liu Zhenzhen felt a secret delight and quickly signaled to Feng Gu. Feng Gu stroked his beard and began to observe with great interest from the side.

Lin Yanran stood motionless. Liu Zhenzhen couldn’t help but ask, “Lin Yanran, what kind of medicine are you actually making?”

Lin Yanran snapped back to reality. she quickly scanned all the herbs. She couldn’t dally; she had to produce the antidote as fast as possible!

The moment this thought surfaced, her aura changed completely. She said in a stern tone, “Doctor Liu, please wash your hands immediately and help me.”

Liu Zhenzhen couldn’t help but glare at her. Using her pharmacy and her as an assistant, yet her tone was so stiff? She was a bit annoyed, but seeing Lin Yanran’s serious expression and obvious state of total concentration, she could only comply. She threw herself into this intense and efficient pharmaceutical process.

As the close disciple of a top-tier Great Physician, Liu Zhenzhen also entered the “zone” quickly.

Feng Gu watched from the sidelines, stroking his beard with satisfaction.

It seems little Zhen’er didn’t slack off during her travels; her pharmaceutical skills have improved!

Suddenly, he let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

His eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Lin Yanran’s hands.

The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated those hands. They were incredibly dexterous; various herbs converged, transformed, and combined between her fingertips, giving birth to new medicinal liquids.

Feng Gu’s eyes widened further. What is this technique? Why have I never seen it before?

Physicians had a specialized Guild of Physicians that organized pharmaceutical conventions every year, which Great Physicians were invited to attend. He had seen countless techniques, but never one so strange and marvelous.

Lin Yanran’s hands seemed to possess magic. When two herbs met, they fused into a different medicine in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, she seemed like a deity of pharmacology; all materials combined at her will, becoming exactly what she desired.

Feng Gu couldn’t help but tug at his beard.

Genius. This is a technique only a genius could possess!

He marveled in his heart, studying Lin Yanran’s movements closely. He didn’t even notice that he had plucked out several strands of his own beard.

Then, he uttered another soft “Eh?”

Liu Zhenzhen and Lin Yanran were both fully immersed—one leading, one assisting. With just a glance from Lin Yanran, Liu Zhenzhen knew which herb she needed and handed it over almost instantly.

Little Zhen’er and this girl… they work together with such seamless coordination?

Most physicians spent their lives yearning for a partner with whom they shared such telepathic rapport. A good assistant can make the process twice as effective with half the effort.

According to what Zhen’er said, this was only their second time working together. To be this synchronized by the second time while both possessed such high talent—weren’t they a match made in heaven?

Feng Gu’s mind began to churn. He stroked his beard, a shrewd light in his eyes. He began to look at Lin Yanran as if she were a precious treasure.

Lin Yanran could honestly say she had never been as focused in her life as she was at this moment.

All her intellect and energy were concentrated on the herbs in her hands; she was deaf to everything around her.

However, the results were surprisingly good.

Three double-hours (six hours). It took only six hours to concoct this rare medicine that usually only a legendary Great Physician could produce.

To be safe, she made two pills at once.

She looked at the two bright red pills before her as if they were priceless treasures. Using bamboo tweezers, she gently placed them into a white jade porcelain bottle and headed for the door.

Liu Zhenzhen shouted, “Hey! Lin Yanran, where are you going?”

She was annoyed. She felt like Lin Yanran had used her and was now leaving without even saying thank you.

Lin Yanran turned back and saw that Liu Zhenzhen was exhausted to the point of collapse, sitting slumped on the floor without regard for her posture.

True—anyone standing motionless for six hours would be drained, not to mention she was a Kunze, whose physical strength was far inferior to her own.

She felt a twinge of guilt, but there was no time to explain. She knelt down and looked at her with total sincerity.

“Doctor Liu, I have an urgent matter and must go back immediately. Please, stay here and help me record the detailed steps of the formulation we just did, okay?”

Having succeeded under high pressure, she might forget certain steps if they weren’t recorded immediately. After all, a person’s mental state is hard to replicate perfectly.

Liu Zhenzhen grew even more frustrated. This person used her, prepared to bolt, and now asked for another favor? It was too much!

But before her words of protest could come out, Lin Yanran said with absolute seriousness, “This is a medicine that can change the world. But I truly cannot spare a moment right now. Doctor Liu, you must help me record it!”

Meeting her gaze, Liu Zhenzhen found her grievances trapped in her throat. She couldn’t say no.

Feng Gu stroked his beard and said, “Little Zhen’er, agree to her. I was watching from the side just now and can offer you some pointers.”

Liu Zhenzhen nodded.

Lin Yanran looked at her, suddenly bent down, hooked her arms under her armpits, and scooped her up. She carried her out of the pharmacy in large strides and set her down in a chair in the study. She only let go once she was steady.

Liu Zhenzhen stared at her blankly. She saw Lin Yanran take two steps back and bow deeply. “Doctor Liu, I am in your debt!”

With that, she strode out the door.

Liu Zhenzhen stared at her retreating back for a long time without coming to her senses.

Feng Gu watched this with great interest. After a while, seeing his disciple still dazed, he waved his fan in front of her.

“Little Zhen’er, what are you looking at? She’s long gone.”

Only then did Liu Zhenzhen snap out of it, a look of melancholy on her face.

Feng Gu said meaningfully, “Are you reluctant to see her go?”

Caught off guard, Liu Zhenzhen’s eyes were confused for a moment. Then she suddenly turned her head away, her face flushing for no reason.

“Master, what nonsense are you talking?”

“Why would I be reluctant? I can’t wait for that bastard to leave! She troubles me every day, uses me, and then throws me away. She can forget about me helping next time!”

Hearing his disciple’s “protesting too much,” Feng Gu blinked his shrewd eyes and said faintly, “In that case, follow your Master back to the Prefecture City tomorrow.”

Liu Zhenzhen froze, hesitating. “Master, didn’t you come to take her as a disciple? She’s a genius!”

Feng Gu said wistfully, “Master is afraid that instead of gaining a genius disciple, I might lose my beloved one!”

Liu Zhenzhen looked at her master in confusion, then saw the teasing look in his eyes that suggested more than he was saying. She immediately turned red with embarrassment.

“Master—what on earth are you saying?”

Feng Gu slowly waved his fan, his tone equally leisurely: “Little Zhen’er, your Master didn’t say anything at all.”

Stumped for a reply, Liu Zhenzhen turned away, laid out her paper and ink, and began recording the steps.

When Lin Yanran stepped outside, she realized it was pitch black. She reached her own house to find the gates tightly shut and hurriedly knocked.

Chen Xiaohua opened the door and blurted out, “Sister Yanran, you’re finally back!”

Black Tiger and Grape were crouched at her feet, and Wang Shouchun stood beside her holding a lantern. Both were looking at her expectantly.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you all asleep?”

Wang Shouchun said softly, “Young Master, the Mistress didn’t eat tonight. She went to bed early and ordered us to guard the gate, forbidding anyone from entering.”

Chen Xiaohua chimed in, “Fairy Sister-in-law wouldn’t let us bring her food, and she wouldn’t let us into the main room. Sister Yanran, is she sick?”

Lin Yanran grew more anxious by the second. Daring not to ask for more details, she left them with one sentence: “Go get some rest.”

Wang Shouchun watched her back and blinked. At dusk, the Mistress had suddenly summoned Chen Xiaohua to give orders. Wang Shouchun had wanted to pay her respects to this “Mistress” whom she had heard but never seen, but after asking a question through the curtain, she was coldly rejected.

It was only a few words, and the voice was terrifyingly cold, yet it was so beautiful it invited imagination. The Young Master’s wife must be a beauty.

She had tried to get details from Chen Xiaohua, but the girl couldn’t describe her, only saying her sister-in-law was a fairy descended to earth.

Such a beauty… she must be a perfect match for the Young Master.

Lin Yanran hurried toward the main room. The door was closed; she gave it a gentle push, and it opened. It wasn’t bolted—it seemed a door had been left for her.

Lin Yanran breathed a sigh of relief.

She walked in softly, closed the door behind her, and reached the door curtain. Just as she was about to pull it aside, a heavy voice came from within.

“Come in.”

It was low and raspy, as if she were deliberately suppressing her emotions.

Lin Yanran’s heart panicked for no reason. Her instinct was to retreat.

But then she squeezed the medicine bottle in her hand, silently cheering herself on. Lin Yanran, Lin Yanran, success or failure depends on this. If you solve the pheromone problem for the villain, your life is saved.

Go for it!

She steeled herself and lifted the curtain, immediately meeting Youqin Mingyue’s incredibly somber eyes.

She was sitting upright at the table, one hand clenched into a fist on the surface.

Lin Yanran’s eyes widened in an instant!

Beside that hand lay a dagger—the very one that could cut through iron like mud. The blade was dripping with blood. The blood had gathered into a small puddle on the table…

Lin Yanran’s scalp went numb.

Help! I really don’t want to die!

Are the Death Guards already lying in ambush? Are they waiting for her to drop a cup as a signal to take my head?

Is it too late to run?

Youqin Mingyue stared at her gloomily.

Didn’t this commoner say she was going to make medicine? She had waited agonizingly until now for it. If the medicine wasn’t made, then the girl was truly tired of living!

Her patience had reached its limit, and she was forced to speak first.

“Where is the medicine?”

Lin Yanran shuddered, finally snapping out of the high-pressure fear of death. She hurriedly pulled out the porcelain bottle and placed it on the table.

“Mingyue, I made it. It’s here.”

However—the bottle was placed on the opposite side from Youqin Mingyue, requiring her to lean forward to reach it.

Youqin Mingyue’s gaze turned even darker.

Lin Yanran shuddered again, sensing her dissatisfaction. But she was terrified right now because the villain really looked like she wanted her dead!

I want to cry but have no tears.

She had no choice but to lean over, stretch out her arm, and slowly push the bottle toward her, bit by bit, until it was within easy reach. Then she snapped her hand back immediately.

Youqin Mingyue looked at the bottle, then at her.

Does she think there’s an ambush of Death Guards, so she’s acting like a coward?

Her gaze was icy, and her voice grew even more menacing: “Test the medicine.”

Lin Yanran froze for a moment, then realized what she meant. She couldn’t help but feel lucky that she had made two pills; if there had only been one, the villain would surely have held a grudge.

“Okay.”

She agreed, but her feet felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. She didn’t dare move forward. Her eyes stole a glance at Youqin Mingyue, only to be caught by her somber gaze again.

Lin Yanran: “…”

Forget it. If she really wants to kill me, there’s no hiding.

She walked over resolutely, picked up the bottle, and poured out two red pills.

“Mingyue, time was short, so I only managed to make two. These are an improvement based on your original pills. They can maximize the resolution of the restlessness during a pheromone outbreak, making it soothing, calm, and eventually peaceful.”

As Lin Yanran explained, she picked up one pill to show her.

Youqin Mingyue’s body trembled slightly, as if she were exerting extreme self-control. A flash of bloody red crossed her dark eyes.

“Are you sure of the efficacy?”

Lin Yanran said quickly, “I’m certain the effect is better than the pill you have.”

Youqin Mingyue gave her another heavy look and asked, “Only oral administration?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you make a pill that can be worn on the person?”

“I considered it, but I feel your original pill only treats the symptoms, not the root. Only by letting the medicinal effect integrate into the body can it achieve a better result.”

“If there is no pheromone outbreak, what are the symptoms after taking it?”

Lin Yanran’s expression turned solemn. She pondered, “I don’t know, because it’s the first time I’ve made this. My mind was entirely on resolving your pain; I didn’t consider anything else. However, the ingredients are non-toxic.”

Youqin Mingyue barked coldly, “Test the medicine immediately!”

Lin Yanran hesitated for a moment, then put the pill into her mouth, picked up the water on the table, and took a large gulp.